Friday, August 29, 2008

I've got two pairs of tickets to give away for the Centro-Matic show this Tuesday at Spaceland. Opening the show will be Sleepercar (featuring Jim Ward of Sparta) and South San Gabriel (featuring Centro-Matic). I got turned on to Centro-Matic while I was living in Austin. Their music's just really heartfelt and soulful. Lead singer Will Johnson's one of those prolific Robert Pollard type of guys who can write a song a day. This show is presented by my pal, Aquarium Drunkard.

To win these tickets email me [dukeufo at gmail] and name your favorite thing about Texas. Please put "Centro-Matic" in the subject line. The contest closes

Thursday, August 28, 2008

I haven't had a chance to listen to any of these records all the way through yet, so this post is even weaker than usual....

Noteworthy Albums Released on 8/26/08:

Backyard Tire Fire (mp3)Blues TravelerJonatha Brooke (mp3) – doing unreleased Woody Guthrie songs; at Largo on 11/12/08Cordero (mp3 and mp3)Delta Spirit – San Diego band with a good local followingDragonforce – power metal; at the Palladium on 11/7/08Duchess SaysThe Game – Weiss reviewed it for the Times.Golden Animals – I think they live out in the desert, but they’re almost an LA band. The singer. Totally retro, with a little bit of a Doors vibe.Jan & Dean – Complete Liberty singlesJupiter OneB.B. KingRaine Maida – Our Lady Peace frontmanKawabata Makoto & Michishita ShinsukeMerzbowMotorhead – at the San Manuel Amphitheatre on 8/30/08Mott the Hoople / Ian Hunter anthologyPop Levi – he’s almost like a localThe Silent YearsSlipknotSolangeMatthew Sweet – at the Echo on 8/27/08; briefly listened – some good guitar riffs on the first halfTussle – at the Echo on 9/25/08Gary Usher – compilation of songs written by the (occasional) Beach Boys collaboratorVarious Artists – A Brief History of the BluesVarious Artists – DFA Presents Supersoul Recordings – Nobody Knows AnythingVarious Artists – Notwave compilation from DFAThe VeronicasThe Verve – their fourth album is getting some decent reviewsThe Week That Was – this is the other brother from (the now defunct) Field Music; some pretty good reviews from the British pressWoodhands (mp3 and mp3)

Doors for the festival will be 2:30pm and the first band will start at 3:15pm.Tickets at the door will be $20.The Entrance for F Yeah Fest is at the EchoPlex, which is located at 1154 Glendale Blvd. The cost of entry gets you a wrist band into all 4 of the locations.Onsite you will be able to pick up a schedule with a map of all the locations (everything is right next to one another)

The LA Scavenger Hunt:Sign ups for the Hunt will begin at 1:00pm at the North side of the Echo Park Lake. At 2:00pm the list for the hunt will be passed out.The hunt will run until 7:00pm and will end at 1269 E. 6th St, in downtown LA.There Dan Deacon will be performing with Kyle Mabson.If you aren't a part of the hunt it's a $9 cover. If you are a part of the hunt it's a $6 donation.We will count everything up on site.We will also be giving out tons of gifts to everyone a part of the hunt on site.

While most of my friends lost their patience for Radiohead seven years ago when Kid B came out, I’ve steadfastly defended them. Despite overly-noodle-y records, I would point to their live shows as evidence of their continued greatness. In fact, if you’d asked me last Sunday to name the five best live bands in the world, Radiohead would have undoubtedly made the list.

So why was I so fucking bored during most of their show on Monday night? The simple answer is that, I just don’t like In Rainbows as much as I thought I did. In a set that spanned over two hours, they played everything off of In Rainbows (including a bonus track). They added a couple off of Hail to the Thief, one off of Amnesiac and four off of Kid A. There were some non-album tracks too – “Talk Show Host,” “Cymbal Rush” (from Yorke’s solo record), and the intro of “True Love Waits.”

The first highlight of the night came 12 songs in when Yorke, joined by Johnny Greenwood, did an acoustic cover of Neil Young’s “Tell Me Why.” This will be the turning point, I thought. My excitement grew when they followed it up with an OK Computer track, an upbeat In Rainbows song and “The Bends.” But then I started to get bored again.

The truth is, at least one third of the set was fantastic (three songs from The Bends). Being the fifth or so time that I’ve seen them, it just didn’t live up to my expectations. I’d seen (slightly lesser) versions of their impressive light show and stage camera work before. So as I stared down on the 5,000 or so heads of the people with better seats than I, and as I was elbowed throughout the night by the oversized guy next to me, and as I listened to the guy behind me sing in his own falsetto, and as I watched the guys in front of me constantly play with their cell phones, my mind just wandered. I wondered how one man can be so moany, I wondered if another band could get away with some of the occasionally (very) cheesy programmed beats, and I wondered what else I could have done with the $110 I’d spent that night.

I know that for legions of Radiohead fans, the band can do no wrong. I hope you guys had a fantastic, transcendent time at the show on Monday night. And take this positive nugget away, next time Radiohead comes to town, at least you won’t have to compete with me for tickets.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

I've got a couple of pairs of tickets to give away for the Polvo show this Sunday at the Echoplex. It's a strong bill with Trans Am and the Drones opening the show.

To win the tickets email me [dukeufo at gmail] with the name of your favorite Mexican restaurant. The contest closes Friday at Noon.

A good friend of mine turned me on to Polvo early in college. I remember going to Love Garden in Lawrence, KS and picking up Polvo's Cor-Crane Secret and Slint's Spiderland on the same trip. Both records blew my mind (for a taste, go listen to "Vibracobra" on Polvo's Myspace page). I don't listen to a lot of experimental or abrasive music, but Polvo's odd time signatures and ability to do pretty much anything with a guitar did it for me. I still revisit the old records at least a few times a year. They haven't put out a record in over a decade, so this very well might be your only chance to see them.

Lykke Li: Youth Novels (Atlantic) – Much buzz surrounding this Swedish singer-songwriter. Bjorn from Peter Bjorn and John produced and co-wrote the record. Her voice is somewhere between Kate Bush and Bjork and the music is melancholy indie pop. She’s not afraid to throw in the occasional dirty lyric. At El Rey on 11/3/08.

Stereolab: Chemical Chords (4AD) – To be honest, I haven’t paid much attention to Stereolab for the past decade (although I was a big Emperor Tomato Ketchup fan). This record’s a pretty successful synthesis of classic Stereolab with a Motown sound (which according to the press materials, was Tim Gane’s intention). The arrangements are kept fresh with strings, horns and vibraphones. My only knock is that I tend to get bored with Laetitia Sadier’s singing. It doesn’t matter if it’s in French (which I do speak) or English, I can’t understand what she’s saying and why she’s so bored saying it. At the Fonda 10/23/08.

Uh Huh Her: Common Reaction (Nettwerk) – The band’s named after a PJ Harvey album and features Leisha Hailey (actress from the L Word and band the Murmurs) and Camila Grey (Mellowdrone). It’s a pretty slick production, heavy on synths. See them at the Avalon on 11/14/08.

Other Noteworthy New Releases:31 Knots (mp3)The Academy Is… - at the House of Blues on 10/15/08Arabian Prince (mp3)Randall BramblettDavid Byrne – Big Love soundtrack – At the Greek on 10/3/08Don CaballeroCaesarsGlen CampbellThe Dandy Warhols (mp3) – At the Wiltern on 10/3/08Death Vessel – dudes sings like a lady (but it doesn’t sound bad); out on Sub Pop(mp3); at Spaceland on 9/7/08Jerry DouglasThe DuhksThe Fiery FurnacesDonavon FrankenreiterThe Gaslight AnthemJeff Hanson (mp3)Juliana Hatfield – At Largo on 9/27/08Hotel LightsHuman HighwayIce Cube – At the House of Blues on 9/1/08George Jones – Unreleased duets albumKarinaLaura Marling – At the Hotel Café on 9/26/08The Moondoggies – the Myspace tracks and free download sound intriguing (mp3)Mugison – At the LA Weekly fest on 10/4/08The Music Tapes – Julian Koster (he was a contributor to Neutral Milk Hotel)Jim O’Rourke – unreleased electronic dronePramRa Ra Riot – on Barsuk; at the Echo on 9/25/08 (mp3)RodriguezThe Royal WeXavier Rudd – At the House of Blues on 9/5/08Saurasama – on Drag City (mp3)sBach – At Spaceland on 9/18/08Darrell ScottShwayze – At the Nokia on 11/28/08Starling ElectricThe Stills – At the Nokia on 10/15/08The Toadies – At the Roxy on 9/11/08The UglysuitVarious – Como Now compilationVarious – Kompakt compilationVarious – Never Ever Land compilationLoudon Wainwright – At Largo on 9/3/08The Walkmen – (mp3)

Monday, August 25, 2008

[Recommended] Radiohead / Liars @ Hollywood Bowl (Sold Out) – I’m not a diehard like a lot of people, but Radiohead’s still a great live band. I will be there tonight.

[Recommended] Bon Iver / A.A. Bondy @ Troubadour (Sold Out) – Bon Iver put out one of my favorite records of the year. Justin Vernon was quite good earlier this year at a sold out show at the Echo. AA BondyWarpaint / Josh Klinghoffer / Of Aire / Radius @ Spaceland (Free) – The last night to catch the Warpaint residency. I’ve heard that it’s been nuts every week. Expect it to be nuts again, because the rumor is that John Frusciante will be joining Josh Klinghoffer. Don't quote me on that.

Delta Spirit / AA Bondy / Dawes @ Spaceland ($12 includes copy of album) – I saw Delta Spirit win a lot of fans when they opened for Dr. Dog a couple of weeks ago. They’re a talented band from San Diego and the lead singer’s got a John Fogerty thing going. Delta Spirit @ Fingerprints in Long Beach (Free) – 7:00 PMHead Like a Kite / Molina @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)

[Recommended] Shearwater / Wye Oak @ the Echo ($12) – Jonathan Meiburg recently left Okkervil River to focus his full time attention on Shearwater. They recently wrapped a tour as the support act for Coldplay. Download “Leviathan, Bound” Wye Oak’s recent album, If Children, is one I just keep returning to again and again. Good stuff….

Thursday, August 21, 2008

This is my weekly reminder to tune in to Sinking with Sylvia and Todd (and Matt Dwyer) Friday from Noon to 2:00 PM on Little Radio. Tomorrow their guests will be Spider Problem. I'm not super familiar with the band, but I know Jax is a big supporter.

Each week on the show, they feature an official You Set the Scene pick and I write about it here. My pick for tomorrow's show is Matthew Sweet's "Sick of Myself." I picked Sweet because I like him, but also because he has a new album coming out next week. Plus I have three pairs of tickets to give away for his show Thursday night at the Echo. Greg Laswell will open the show. To enter the contest email me [dukeufo at hotmail] with the name of your favorite Matthew Sweet song. The contest closes Wednesday at Noon. Put Matthew Sweet in the subject line or it might get buried with the thousands of other unopened emails.

I first heard Sweet back in the early 1990s when his Girlfriend album came out. I was still into R.E.M. at the time (but also listening to a disturbing amount of grunge), so I related to it on an R.E.M. level. Thanks to my old college roommate, I finally saw Sweet live in 1995. My roommate booked shows at KU, and chose Sweet as the headliner for Day on the Hill. Day on the Hill was a pretty cool tradition at the University of Kansas. Basically a big, end of the year, outdoor concert on the hill that overlooked the football stadium.

Side note: Day on the Hill got massive attention in 1992 (I was in high school, but still showed up), when Pearl Jam played. After that, there was a lot of pressure from the students to try to out-do the Pearl Jam show, and there was a lot of pressure from the administration to never repeat the Pearl Jam show. Budget constraints generally ensured that the administrators won.

The publicist assures me that the new Sweet record is on its way, but since I haven't received it I had to pick an oldie but a goodie. "Sick of Myself" comes from my favorite Sweet album, 1995's 100% Fun. The record still has Sweet's characteristic power pop vibe, but does the best job of successfully incorporating heavier guitar work from Richard Lloyd of Television (the fifth time Lloyd appeared on a Sweet record). To put it succinctly, I've always been a sucker for upbeat songs with dark lyrics.

Tune in to Little Radio tomorrow to hear it (then if you want to hear it again, stream it on Sweet's Myspace page).

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Neil Young "pre-sale" tickets went on sale this morning at 10:00 AM through Musictoday. You can pay $254 (plus $20 in svc fees), $129 (plus $10 in svc fees) or $89 (plus $7 svc fees). The show takes place at the Forum on 10/30/08 with Death Cab for Cutie and Everest opening the show. The regular on sale date is Monday at 10:00 AM.

After months of rumors and speculation, it's finally confirmed...Everest are heading out on an arena tour with Neil Young. How crazy is that? The tour includes a date at the Forum on the night before Halloween.

Tuesday 8/19/08[Recommended] Le Switch / Nico Stai / Les Blanks / The World Record @ the Echo ($5) - This is Le Switch's record release party. I'm giving away a couple of pairs of tickets. Be sure to buy their new album at the show. Get there early for Les Blanks.Nico Muhly @ Hotel Café – The early show at 7:00 PM.Curtis Peoples @ The RoxyHighasakite / Previously on Lost / The Naked / The Albrights @ Spaceland ($8)[Recommended] Let's Independent: Xu Xu Fang / The Savages / Death to Anders (acoustic) @ Bordello ($5) - Radio Free Silver Lake's monthly night.[Recommended] Glen Campbell @ Troubadour (Sold Out) - His new record is a bunch of modern covers.Franklin for Short @ Tangier ($8)His Orchestra @ Silverlake Lounge ($8)The Meemies / Old Believers @ Hotel Café – Later show at 10:00 PM.Joshua Bell a La Francaise @ Hollywood Bowl

Friday, August 15, 2008

Le Switch is about to release their debut full-length, And Now…Le Switch on the Aquarium Drunkard’s label Autumn Tone. I highly recommend it (see what I wrote about on their Myspace page). The record comes out nationally in September, but LA fans can pick it up at their record release party this Tuesday at the Echo. Joining them will be Nico Stai, Les Blancs and The World Record.

I have two pairs of tickets to give away. Email me [dukeufo at hotmail] and tell me what your favorite LA band is. Please put Le Switch in the subject line.

Here’s an interview with lead singer, Aaron Kyle.

You Set The Scene: So what neighborhood do you claim?Aaron Kyle: Los Angeles. I don’t really claim a neighborhood. I live in Glassell Park now.

YSTS: You grew up in LA, so that question’s probably tougher for you than it is for most of us….AK: Yeah, it’s a bit complicated. When I was growing up we moved pretty much every year until we landed in Echo Park for four years. Then we landed in Burbank when I was in junior high. So it’s easiest just to claim LA.

YSTS: Is the rest of the band from LA? AK: No. Joe and Maria are from New York. Josh is from Northern California and Chris is from Portland.

YSTS: How long have you been playing music?AK: I’ve been playing in bands for almost 15 years. Kind of crazy.

YSTS: What inspired you to pick up an instrument?AK: I just wanted to be in a punk band in the early days. The first band I was in wanted to sound like Nirvana, but I wanted to sound like Minor Threat. They kicked me out after our first show at the Coconut Teaszer on the Sunset Strip. I got a high out of singing, so I decided to start my own band.

YSTS: Did you always play guitar?AK: I actually played bass at first, but put it down after six months because it was boring. I’m self taught. I learn a lot from people who are better than me – like my entire band. Chris Harrison [ed. Note: Le Switch’s bass player] actually taught me a lot. Before I met him, I was an OK guitar player. He’s taught me a lot.

YSTS: How’d you get hooked with the Radar Bros. [Aaron’s been touring as the lead guitarist in the Radar Bros. for the past six months]?AK: We already played together in Adeline and the Philistines, so when the job opened up, he asked me. I originally met Jim through Todd [ed. Note: Todd Clifford, formerly of Sea Level Records] and I actually met Addy through Todd too. So it all goes back to Todd.

YSTS: Now for the hardball questions. What’s your favorite breakfast spot?AK: I like a simple breakfast. Nothing fancy. Eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast. Anyone can do that, right. I go to the Coffee Table. But it's rare because I don't usually wake up till 2pm – on the weekends, that is.

YSTS: Your favorite Mexican restaurant?AK: I like La Parilla for certain things, Costa Alegre for fish Tacos, and the taco truck on Logan for burritos and miscellaneous tacos.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

This is my weekly reminder to tune in to Sinking with Sylvia and Todd (and Sometimes Matt Dwyer) on Little Radio Friday from Noon to 2:00 PM PST. Tomorrow their musical guests will be Letting Up Despite Great Faults. I liked their debut record, so I'm curious to hear what they're up to.

Each week, they feature an official You Set the Scene pick. Usually I use the pick to highlight a favorite older song or artist because it gives me a chance to write about something I wouldn't normally have an excuse to write about. But this week, I've gotten so much good new music, that I want to write about a new release....

David Vandervelde's The Moonstation House Band was one of my favorite releases of 2007. While pretty much everybody compared it to Bowie and Bolan, it still sounded really fresh and good to these ears. A lot of people were surprised when Secretly Canadian released the first track, "I Will Be Fine," from his follow up album, Waiting For the Sunrise. The early T. Rex influences had been replaced by a super smooth Ambrosia/ 10cc sound (at least according to Pitchfork). But you know what, it still sounded really fresh and good to these ears.

So I finally got the full album (LA stores couldn't seem to get the vinyl). It turns out that the Ambrosia and 10cc comparisons don't fit for most of the record. While it still has a soft rock, 70's AM radio vibe on a lot of tracks, there's some meat too. Some critics have detected a Neil Young vibe, but I only hear (acoustic) Neil on a couple of tracks. You could just as easily compare it to late-era Big Star, the Band, John Denver, Fleetwood Mac or really whatever you want. To me it just sounds like David Vandervelde.

Vandervelde's a young, soulful guy with immense talent. I recommend you check this out....

This has been a great week here at You Set the Scene. I’ve gotten a slew of new records that I’m really digging. At the top of that list is the Broken West’s new one, Now or Heaven. The local LA band’s debut, I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On was one of my favorite records last year, and this one’s even better.

After a year of touring and recording, they’ve made an even more cohesive and textured album. The band’s often thrown into the power pop category, and there’s some of that here (“Perfect Games”), but remember when Badfinger started to get really into the Band?

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Records I’ve Heard:Zach Hill: Astrological Straits (Ipecac) – As you’ve probably noticed, I’m not a big fan of so-called challenging music. The older I get, the more I listen to music that makes me feel good. Zach Hill, however, is one of the exceptions. Better known as the drummer for Hella, his first solo record could be the soundtrack to your descent into drug addiction. It incorporates his unique drumming (crazy time signatures, trashed cymbals, etc.) and features guest appearances from Les Claypool, Marco Benevento, Tyler Pope, his Hella bandmates and Dean and Randy from No Age. The second disc is a 33 minute single track collaboration with Marnie Stern and Benevento. This music’s not for everybody, but I find it compelling.

Local Interest:Pierre de Reeder: The Way That It Was (Lumberjack Mordam Music) – The first solo record from Rilo Kiley’s bass player.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Darker My Love: 2 (Dangerbird) – The local band has put out an extremely likeable record that’s a lot more polished than their first record. This one will draw more comparisons to Supergrass, Jesus & Mary Chain, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and (label mates) Silversun Pickups than Can or My Bloody Valentine. The band’s two vocalists, Tim Presley and Rob Barbato, played/wrote (Reformation Post TLC) with Mark E. Smith in the Fall last year. They’re already a powerful live band, and should be even better when they finish their September tour with the Dandy Warhols.

The Faint: Fasciination (blank.wav) – I can (occasionally) get into really mechanized, soulless music if it’s fun. Unfortunately this one’s not that much fun. Most of the songs are just begging for dance remixes (see the download). It’s been seven years since Danse Macabre, and I guess I’m still putting them in that box. Download “The Geeks Were Right (Does it Offend You, Yeah? Remix)”

Conor Oberst: Conor Oberst (Merge) – I’ve never been a Bright Eyes fan, so it’s noteworthy that Oberst put this album out under his own name (and chose Merge as the label to release it). Whereas Bright Eyes has always been about grand gestures, this record’s much more subtle and understated. And that’s a good thing in my book. Download “Danny Callahan”

Elvis Presley: The Complete 1968 Comeback Special (RCA/Sony) – This is definitive four disc box set to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Elvis’ 1968 comeback special. At the time, Elvis was focused on his film career at the expense of his music career. His handlers decided a slick, televised Christmas special was in the cards. During rehearsals, the director saw Elvis and his buddies having fun and jamming together behind the scenes. He thought it was really neat to see Elvis (now a huge movie star) from that perspective had the sense to incorporate elements of that into the final special. It’s a fascinating historical document, the packaging is great, the sound quality is fantastic and Elvis’ voice is strong. A lot of the jokes are corny, but this would still make a fantastic gift for music fans. There’s a separate, companion three disc DVD set too.

Disc one of the box set expands on the original releaseDisc two features the first “sit down” show and first “stand up” showDisc three features the second “sit down” show and second “stand up” showDisc four features the first and second rehearsal

Local Interest:The Airborne Toxic Event: The Airborne Toxic Event (Majordomo) – I haven’t heard this yet. They’re getting a ton of press and nationwide radio airplay. See them with the Fratellis at the Wiltern on 9/16/08.Download “Sometime Around Midnight”

On My Shopping List:David Vandervelde: Waiting For the Sunrise (Secretly Canadian) – His last record was one of my favorites of 2007. I still haven’t heard this one (there seems to be a vinyl shortage). See him at the F*** Yeah Fest on 8/30/08Download “I Will Be Fine”

Friday, August 08, 2008

No time to write much, but this is my weekly reminder to listen to Sinking with Sylvia and Todd (and Sometimes Matt Dwyer) on Little Radio. The show airs Friday from Noon to 2:00 PM.

Each week on the show they feature an official You Set the Scene pick. Tomorrow my pick is "Taking Too Long" by the Wipers. I'm not the world's biggest authority on the Wipers or Greg Sage, so I'll point you towards Wikipedia if you want to know (a little) more. What I do know is that they were big influences on Kurt Cobain, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., the Melvins, etc. I dug out my Wipers stuff recently after seeing a bunch of kids around town with Wipers shirts on. It holds up really well.

I first got interested in the Wipers during college back in the mid-1990s. I picked up a fantastic record (Helium Octopede) by a Lawrence, KS band called Zoom and heard that a musician named Greg Sage recorded/produced it. I was intrigued, and picked up some Wipers.

Tune in tomorrow to hear. If you like what you hear, hit up their website. You'll be buying direct and they've got some great deals on stuff..

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Wednesday 7/23/08: Lucero @ SpacelandI’ve only owned one Lucero record, which I liked (not loved), but was still curious to check out their set. I was impressed; Spaceland was packed and their heavily tattooed fans were there to drink. For me, their live set was more compelling than that one record I own. Just a really good Southern-style rock ‘n’ roll band.

Sunday 7/27/08: Hypernova @ Little RadioHypernova’s an Iranian dance-rock band. They’re super tight and catchy if you’re into bands like Franz Ferdinand. Unfortunately I had to leave before Castledoor took the stage.

Sunday 7/27/08: Secret Machines @ Viper RoomMy girlfriend turned me on to Secret Machines when we started dating. She’s known the guys for longer than she’d want me to say, so I’ve benefited from a lot of free tickets (Wiltern, El Rey, Avalon, ACL, etc.). I was a little apprehensive this time, because it was the first show I’d seen since guitar player Ben Curtis left to form School of Seven Bells. Their new guitarist is another guy who played in a shitload of Dallas bands, Phil Karnats.

I hadn’t been to the Viper Room since the Pink Taco guy bought it, and it didn’t seem like much had changed. By the time the band started, it was packed with big cornfed bastards everywhere. As is always the case with Secret Machines’ shows, it was ear punishing-ly loud. You know it’s a great SM show when Josh Garza is just pummeling the drums with those giant baseball bat sticks.

Secret Machines has always been a bit of an anomaly as a rock ‘n’ band because their guitar has always taken a back seat to the rest of the band. Karnats seems like he might change all that. While he didn’t step into the spotlight, he definitely held his own with Curtis and Garza. The set was a lot more hard rocking and less krautrock than recent appearances. And that pleased me. Can’t wait to hear the new record.

Wednesday 7/30/08: Jay Reatard / Cheap Time @ the EchoEver since reading about Cheap Time on Other Music, I’ve been intrigued. They started off with ties to Be Your Own Pet, but their record is a lot more interesting than the last Be Your Own Pet album. The Nashville power trio came out with loads of energy and garage rock attitude. The songs were less lo-fi than the record, but only a couple (“People Talk” and “Wildlife”) stood out from the rest. They’re still kids, so I’ll keep them on the radar. A suitable opener.

By the time Jay Reatard took the stage, it was ridiculously hot and quite possibly over capacity. He came out and immediately owned the stage. The Memphis trio was powerfully intense and much tighter than the early recordings would suggest. Live, the band treads the Circle Jerks-ish ground where metal (Flying V and all) and punk meet. It was a nice vacation from the (occasionally too) innocuous indie bands I usually see. The band commands the crowd’s attention without much interaction. He’s had some problems with spectators in the past, but he’s no GG Allin (or even Henry Rollins for that matter) out looking for a fight. I even saw him give a bunch of autographs before the set. After the show the merch table was swarmed (I saw one guy spend $60) and the bass player looked very pleased. Gas money to San Diego….

Friday 8/1/08: Viewing Party for Airborne Toxic Event at SpacelandLA can be such a fickle town; Bodies of Water played an early set downstairs to a handful of people. I can’t say much, because I was at home watching the Kurt Cobain documentary, About a Son. I haven’t listened to Nirvana’s music in about a decade, but it was interesting to hear Cobain speak. The film’s not great, but if you were ever a Nirvana fan, it’s a renter.

I showed up to see Lipbalm (Sylvia and Dia) DJ. Saw a bunch of friends, and had a good time. T.A.T.E. did a good job on the show too. They’re hitting the road with the Fratellis soon.See T.A.T.E. on Rehearsal Space Listen to a podcast of T.A.T.E. on Morning Becomes Eclectic

The new Darker My Love record, 2, comes out today on Dangerbird Records, and it's just an all around good rock 'n' roll record (more on that later). They've always been a great live band, so it's nice to hear the album live up that promise. To celebrate itsrelease, their record release party takes place this Thursday at the Troubadour. Opening the show will be Eulogies (label head Peter Walker's band), Amnion (one of my favorite new-ish LA bands featuring the multi-talented Aaron Embry) and Tweak Bird (who are very intense and worth getting there early for).

I've got one pair of tickets (and a copy of the new DML record) to give away. Email me [dukeufo at hotmail] with the name of the record you're most looking forward to in the second half of the year. Please put Darker My Love in the subject line. The contest closes Wednesday at 8:00 AM.